A
root
tonic landing note.
Overview
A Major Blues
A Major Blues uses the notes A, B, C, C♯, E, and F♯. It is the major pentatonic sound plus a passing flat third for extra grit.
Quick reference
- Formula
- 1 - 2 - b3 - 3 - 5 - 6
- Key center
- A major
- Collection
- 6-note blues
Notes
Notes in A Major Blues
A Major Blues laid out by interval role.
1
B
major second
step away from the root.
C
minor third
minor color tone.
C♯
major third
bright major color.
E
perfect fifth
stable support tone.
F♯
major sixth
open upper extension.
Playing ideas
How to use A Major Blues
Best over major-key blues, I-to-I7 movement, and country-blues phrasing.
Use the flat third as passing tension against the major third, not as the main resting note.
Compare it with A Major Pentatonic to hear what the blue note adds.
Positions
Practicing A Major Blues across the neck
Use the Blues view to learn one box at a time, then mark where the flat third sits against the major third inside that shape.
Then switch to Full Neck to find the next box and practice resolving that blue note as you move between positions.
Chords and key
Chords that fit A Major Blues
Typical chords behind major-blues phrasing.
Tonic major chord behind brighter blues lines.
Explore next
Related scales and comparisons
Compare closely related scales, chords, and key-center ideas.
Compare nearby scales
Connect the scale to chords
I • A major
Tonic major chord behind brighter blues lines.
I7 • A 7
Dominant version for classic major-blues phrasing.
IV • D major
Subdominant major chord from the same blues loop.
V7 • E 7
Dominant turnaround chord from the same blues loop.
A chords
Compare common major, minor, 7, and suspended chords on the same root.
A scales
Compare every supported A scale family in one place.
Use these sounds elsewhere
Quick answers